Hydration and Conventions

Staying hydrate is crucial for anyone, but it's especially important if you're attending conventions and expos. They can be physically demanding, with long lines, giant exhibit halls, and hours or standing and walking. To make sure you have the energy and stamina to make the most of your experience, it's important to stay hydrated throughout the day. Here are some tips to stay hydrated at conventions and expos to go with your attendee checklist.

Bring a Water Bottle

Bring your favorite refillable water bottle, it's one of the easiest ways to stay hydrated at conventions and expos. All the conventions I have attended have had water stations, either as part of the building or set up by the event. There are many to choose from but any will do, make sure you get one the size you feel comfortable carrying. Another benefit of a water bottle is that it allows you another canvas to put all the stickers you pick up. Below is the water refill stations set up at Pasadena Comic Con. 

If you don't have a refillable water bottle you can pick one up at your next convention, I do recommend washing it before using it. If you forget your water bottle at home I recommend passing by a convenience store or market on the way to the convention to buy a plastic water bottle because buying water at conventions is expensive. Long Beach Convention Center sells 20 ounce water bottles for 6 dollars each as a comparison.

Drink Water Frequently

Now that you have a favorite convention water bottle make sure you drink from it frequently. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink water. Sip water every 30 minutes to an hour to prevent dehydration and to keep you feeling energized. Walking thousands of steps can really affect your body if you're not used to it. When I attended WonderCon last year I had 30k steps by the end of the day.

If you have a hard time remembering to drink frequently I have seen some people attach their Tamagotchi to their water bottle as an alarm. If your little virtual pet needs water then so do you.

Eat Water-Rich Foods

If you're not someone who like drinking a lot of water then the alternative would be to eat foods that are high in water content. These types of food can help your body stay hydrated and comes with the benefit of additional vitamins and minerals. I suggest fruits like watermelon and grapes, or vegetables like cucumbers. I tend to avoid granola bars because they leave me thirsty. 

Sometimes I pack my own fruit but I also enjoy buying from street vendors, that's why I always carry some cash. Especially outside the LA Convention Center, they set up fruit stands that are cheaper than the food sold inside. You do have to look at the food policy of your event because some don't allow outside food.

Take Breaks and Rest

Make sure you take breaks and rest. Both will help you stay hydrated and allow you to continue seeing the rest of the event. Find a quiet area to sit down, eat a snack and people watch. Eat your lunch while sitting to help you recharge and prevent exhaustion. Walking is really tiring and breaks are essential, especially if you're in cosplay and are carrying a prop with you. 

While I don't encourage it, if you're having a hard time looking for a seat, I do suggest sitting on the ground. If you ever attend Anime Expo or see any vlogs about it you are bound to see people sitting down against the walls just so they can rest for a few minutes. Take your time to unwind and maybe share your merch hauls with your friends. 

Electrolytes are Essential

Drinking water is important, but sometimes you still feel thirsty even after gulping down lots of water. This might mean that your body is in need of electrolytes. And the easiest form to get it is by drinking your favorite sports drink like Gatorade, Powerade, or BodyArmor. They tend to have sugar and if you don't want too much of that then I so suggest drinking their zero sugar alternative. 

If you don't want to carry around too many bottles then I recommend getting a powder version. Liquid IV is popular and easy to buy at any grocery store. Or check out any sports store or health store to see what flavors and options are available to you to bring.

By following these tips you can stay hydrated and energized at conventions and expos. Don't forget to bring a refillable water bottle, drink water frequently, take breaks, and drink electrolytes when needed. With these tips, you'll be able to make the most of your convention. Thank you for reading, looking forward to making more content to help you with your convention experience.

Read some of my other blogs:

• Budgeting for a Convention Part 1
• How early should you arrive to a convention?
• Daily Cost of Attending a Convention